I cant decide which to go for

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:31 am

An e36 M3 evo or an e46 330 sport?

I can't afford an e46 M3 or I would have one. I love the e36 M3 evo but I equally like the e46 330.

I just can't decide!

I know it's all down to personal choice at the end but the only arguement I have for both is an M3 will always be an M3 but an e46 will just be another e46.

Whats the opinions?

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:48 am

TopSod wrote:An e36 M3 evo or an e46 330 sport?

I can't afford an e46 M3 or I would have one. I love the e36 M3 evo but I equally like the e46 330.

I just can't decide!

I know it's all down to personal choice at the end but the only arguement I have for both is an M3 will always be an M3 but an e46 will just be another e46.

Whats the opinions?

Depends what you want the car for mate! I love the E36 M3's but they are a different animal to the 330! M3 is fast etc, but for me as a daily i'd pick the 330 anytime becauise it's more comfortable to live with, there are more minters about and they dont need much to make them stand out, plus the running costs is cheaper too. Funny cause i actually want a E36 M3 cab as a project if and when i can afford one, but only as a toy for weekends and the odd occassions! Had i been looking for a daily i would take the 330! (The 330'S ARE NOT SLOW EITHER! A MAP AND A COUPLE OF OTHER LITTLE BITS CAN SEE YOU AT AROUND 280BHP WHICH IS NOT FAR OFF TRUE M3 POWER)

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:29 am

agreed with ben there on this one i love the 330's very well sorted car and as he says plenty of good ones about
Very tempted by a 330dcoupe for poke as ben stated with a remap and a couple of tgweaks the 330 petrol or diesel can fly HTH
I do know of a mint E36 S50b32 convertible in estorial blue with whit lotus leather and i mean mint the car is gorgeous
think he wants about 8.2K for it..

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:02 am

Which sounds better down the pub?

Mate: What car are you driving these days?
You: An M3
or You: A BMW 330i

At least with the M3 you're buying some pedigree.

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 2:42 pm

chris432626 wrote:At least with the M3 you're buying some pedigree.

Or jus a pony that's been thrashed till it's knackered..

They got cheap enough for the idiot brigade to be in them a while back and I'd say the majority are past their best now.

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 2:51 pm

chris432626 wrote:Which sounds better down the pub?

Mate: What car are you driving these days?
You: An M3
or You: A BMW 330i

At least with the M3 you're buying some pedigree.

Who an Earth spends that kind of money just so they can boast about it at the pub! You buy a car for your own pleasure because you have to live with it day to day. As i said as a toy the M3 is fantastic, but as an everyday car 330 all the way. I've had both in the convertible guise and that's my preference anyway

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 2:56 pm

If the car is for keeps, then an M3 will hold its money better. However, for everyday motoring the 330 will be a much saner choice with cheaper insurance and parts, and better economy. It won't be rusty anywhere, and will be less likely to have been abused.
BUT, its not an M3. Hmmm.

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:10 pm

snakebrain wrote:
chris432626 wrote:At least with the M3 you're buying some pedigree.
Or jus a pony that's been thrashed till it's knackered..

They got cheap enough for the idiot brigade to be in them a while back and I'd say the majority are past their best now.

Very true, I remember a Wheeler Dealers where Ed had a nightmare with a gearbox.

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:21 pm

id take the e46 330 and with a remap youll see a decent difference.

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 5:22 pm

I love the looks of the 330, but as I say, its 'just another e46' whereas you buy an M3 you hope to buying something iconic that will hold money better than a run of the mill car.

If I go down the M3 route it will have to be below 80k miles with full history to prove or as snakebrain says

snakebrain wrote:
Or jus a pony that's been thrashed till it's knackered..

They got cheap enough for the idiot brigade to be in them a while back and I'd say the majority are past their best now.

I've been looking for a while now and I see one that sways me one way and then a one that sways me the other.
I think this is going to take a while..

Post Tue Aug 10, 2010 5:29 pm

For a weekend car I would favour the evo, for an every day car I would have a 330D and save the money towards an Evo. . . .

Andy

Post Wed Aug 11, 2010 8:05 am

TopSod wrote:I love the looks of the 330, but as I say, its 'just another e46' whereas you buy an M3 you hope to buying something iconic that will hold money better than a run of the mill car.

If I go down the M3 route it will have to be below 80k miles with full history to prove or as snakebrain says

snakebrain wrote:
Or jus a pony that's been thrashed till it's knackered..

They got cheap enough for the idiot brigade to be in them a while back and I'd say the majority are past their best now.
I've been looking for a while now and I see one that sways me one way and then a one that sways me the other.
I think this is going to take a while..

I think it depends on your dudget as well! Decent M3's are few and far between and you will pay a premium for one! Just go drive a good example of both cars and see which one puts the biggest smile on your face if running costs is not an issue for you